Travel to Albany

Flying to Albany

For your safety and convenience, do not book a flight into the U.S. that arrives late at night. Many of our international students decide to arrive in the U.S. at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York City or Newark (EWR) International Airport in New Jersey. The only airline currently offering a connecting flight to Albany from JFK is Delta. For this reason we recommend that students coming from Asia should book their trips through Chicago, Detroit or other airports with good connections to Albany. If you fly into Newark (EWR) you can reserve in advance a convenient connecting flight to Albany with US Airways or Continental Airlines. Airtime for a connecting flight from either JFK or EWR to Albany is short -- about 40-- minutes but the cost can be quite high. If you are continuing by airplane to Albany, use only a direct, non-stop connecting flight. You will need to claim your luggage, walk with it through U.S. Customs, and then re-check it -- usually immediately outside the U.S. Customs inspection area.

By Shuttle Van from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

Currently the only airline that offers direct, nonstop connecting flights between JFK and Albany is Delta. If you are arriving at JFK, alternative transportation to Albany is provided by Premiere Express Shuttle vans. An advance reservation by telephone is required (outside the U.S. at 518 489 3441; inside the U.S. at 1 800 772 2172). Shuttle vans leave JFK daily in the late afternoon and arrive at the Albany International Airport near 11:00 p.m. There are several intermediate stops, and the cost is $63.

Getting to Manhattan by Train from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR): Click Here

Getting to Manhattan by Bus:

Several companies offer reliable, direct bus connections between the airports and the Manhattan (New York City) bus and train stations (for example, New Jersey Transit, Carey Transportation, Grey Line Air Shuttle). You can purchase a one-way bus ticket when you arrive at JFK or EWR for about $15 at the “Ground Transportation” counter in the baggage claim area. The trip to Manhattan takes about an hour, depending on traffic conditions. We recommend that you do not try to hire a taxi: travel time is usually longer, and the cost will be over $50.

• If you plan to continue your travel to Albany immediately by train, be sure to get on a bus routed to the Pennsylvania Railroad Station (“Penn Station”)

• If you plan to continue your travel to Albany immediately by bus, be sure to get on a bus routed to the Port Authority Bus Terminal (“Port Authority”)

From Manhattan to Albany by Train:

The Pennsylvania Railroad Station (“Penn Station”) is located between 32nd Street and 33rd Street at 7th Avenue under Madison Square Garden. Amtrak trains leave Penn Station daily from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. You can purchase a one-way Amtrak train ticket when you arrive at Penn Station for about $50. You may not be allowed to take more than two pieces of luggage on the train; if you have more luggage, you might avoid difficulty by traveling to Albany by bus (see below). Be warned: the track location of each Amtrak train is announced only a few minutes before departure—you need to pay careful attention to have enough time to board the train. The Albany train station is located across the Hudson River in a town called Rensselaer; be sure to get off the train at its Rensselaer stop. The train trip to the Rensselaer stop usually requires about 2 1/2 hours. (See Amtrak).

From Manhattan to Albany by Bus:

The Port Authority Bus Terminal (“Port Authority”) is located between 41st Street and 42nd Street at 8th Avenue. Two companies, Adirondack Trailways and Greyhound, provide reliable, direct bus service to Albany. Buses leave the Port Authority daily; although 24-hour bus service is available, try to avoid boarding a bus after 8:00 p.m. You can purchase a one-way bus ticket when you arrive at the Port Authority for about $35—ask about a student discount when you purchase the ticket. Bus travel from the Port Authority is generally safe but, to be cautious, do not wait for your bus in an isolated location, stay only in areas where there are other passengers, and choose a seat on the bus toward the front near the bus driver. The bus trip to the Albany bus station usually requires about 3 hours. (See Trailways, Greyhound and Dragon Coach).

Arrival in Albany by Train, by Bus or by Airplane:

When you arrive in Albany for the first time with your luggage, we recommend that you take a taxi, not a bus, to wherever you will be staying for the night. All taxis operating from either the airport, bus station, or train station are reliable, but you may be asked by the driver to share the taxi with other passengers; this is a common and accepted practice. You should expect the taxi fare to be approximately $10 (more from the airport), and this must be paid in cash. The driver will expect you to give at least an additional dollar as a tip.